DescriptionOrthopedic foot-and-ankle specialists are orthopedic surgeons or podiatrists trained in techniques to treat foot and ankle disorders. Many treatments are nonsurgical and can include orthotics (therapeutic shoe inserts), physical therapy or anti-inflammatory and other types of medications. Surgical treatments can be used to treat injury or trauma to the foot or ankle, such as a sprained or fractured ankle, Achilles tendonitis and heel spurs; nerve disorders; or arthritis of the joints. Foot-and-ankle specialists may also treat bunions or nail deformities. Some foot-and-ankle specialists focus on subspecialties, such as sports injuries or pediatric orthopedics.

Dr. wilhelmsen was educated at the following institutions:

Medical School Attended:duke university school of medicine

Year of Graduation:
1979

Dr. wilhelmsen received medical licensing as follows:

Medical License:
Recieved in 1984

State Medical License:
Issued in the state of North Carolina

Dr. wilhelmsen accepts insurance from these companies:

blue cross blue shield

coventry

Acceptance of particular Insurance Plans may vary, based on different office locations. As a result, we've listed Plans accepted at different locations.>

See what state and federal disciplinary actions (if any) have been reported against this doctor in the past five years.>

Disciplinary Actions: Not Available

Disciplinary actions are actions taken to punish or restrict physicians who have demonstrated professional misconduct. They are intended to correct the doctor's misconduct. Physicians with disciplinary actions may continue to practice, depending on the board's decision. Physicians who have had a disciplinary action in one state will often move to another state where he/she may have a clean record in that new state. Lifescript's Doctor Finder compiles disciplinary action information from all 50 states, you'll know if a physician has a disciplinary action in more than one state.

Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system of the foot and ankle, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscle tendons, nerves and skin.

Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons use medical, physical and rehabilitative methods as well as surgery to treat patients of all ages. They perform reconstructive procedures, treat sports injuries, and manage and treat trauma of the foot and ankle. They work with physicians of many other specialties, including internal medicine, pediatrics, vascular surgery, endocrinology, radiology, anesthesiology and others.

What conditions does an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon treat?

Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons treat various ailments and conditions of the small toes such as claw toe and hammer toe, as well as metatarsalgia (pain on the ball of the foot), heel pain, flat foot or high arches, diabetic foot, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, and arthritis of the foot and ankle. They also treat athlete’s foot (fungal infection), bunions, corns and calluses.

An orthopedic doctor will also handle ankle fractures and sprains. An ankle fracture (broken ankle) is a break in the ankle joint, which connects the tibia (shin bone), fibula (smaller outside bone of the lower leg), and talus (a connecting bone between the leg and foot). An orthopedic doctor will X-ray the injury to evaluate its severity. Possible treatments include a cast (which may or may not require surgery), screws, a metal plate with screws (requires surgery), or a steel rod down the middle of the bone which (requires surgery) known as open reduction internal fixation. They may also use an external fixator to hold the bone in place during healing.

An ankle sprain is a partial or complete tear of the ligaments that support the ankle; it is usually caused by a fall or sudden twist of the ankle. A sprain can result in pain, swelling, bruising, and the inability to move or bend the foot without pain. Crutches are someitmes required to walk. Treatment for a sprain may include rest and elevation of the ankle, applying an ice pack, wrapping the ankle in a compression bandage, taking anti-inflammatory medication (aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Tylenol), strengthening the ankle with exercises, or surgery (when two or three ligaments are torn).

Muscoloskeletal injuries are diagnosed by the degree of severity, ranging from first to third degree, with third-degree injuries being the most severe. A first-degree injury occurs when muscle fibers, tendons or ligaments are stretched beyond normal capacity, causing microscopic tearing; pain and swelling lasts a few days with proper treatment. A second-degree injury is the partial tearing of tissue; pain and swelling can be moderate to severe, and healing takes weeks or months. A third-degree injury is a complete tear, also known as a rupture; surgery is required to repair severed tissues.